Cluster Overview
The FSAC has been a central part of the humanitarian response in Afghanistan since 2008. It is co-led by WFP and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), with a Non-governmental Organization as co-chair. Over 172 partner organizations country-wide are active in the FSAC, including NGOs, Government ministries UN agencies and donors.
Amongst the 172 partners and members, the numbers break down as follows 71 international NGOs, 69 national NGOs, 3 Red Cross/Crescent related organizations, 9 state-level line ministries, 15 UN agencies and 5 donors.
FSAC Field Visit (Jalalabad)
FSAC national and field coordination agreed to have a field mission on 28th August to Jalalabad for better understanding of recent humanitarian situation. FSAC cluster coordinator and national programme officer participated in FSAC field coordination meeting where needs and gaps in recent response were discussed in detail. Response data was shared with partners to map gaps in food assistance. In discussion it was agreed that we currently don’t have any significant gap in food assistance for the region whereas agriculture support show some gaps especially for recent floods affected and some of the conflict affected IDPs. FSAC coordinator informed partners about the recent CHF 2nd standard allocation where these gaps will be addressed soon. FSAC received two proposals where we are putting 100% of food and agriculture gap for above mentioned vulnerable groups.
Afghan refugees returning back from Pakistan is another major issue of concern. Till to date almost 67,348 documented and 124,836 undocumented refugees returned to the country which is very high. Governor and other major stakeholders were expecting a huge flow of people after eid that can possibly reach to 5,000 per day. Governor was describing it as cluster or tribes migration in one go and he confirmed that he has been contacted by many people/tribes already. These IDP’s are coming back with almost no resources. Undocumented are the most vulnerable ones because they are unable to sell their assets in Pakistan on good prices and on arrival to Afghanistan they are not receiving UNHCR grant of 400 USD/person. Undocumented receive some assistance from IOM but numbers and quantity both are not enough. There are cases;
Where returnees are going to host families as they are coming after a long time without proper/necessary preparedness. There areas of origin have active conflict.
Returnees renting houses at very high cost especially those who have continued conflict at their place of origin. Most of them are staying in Nangarhar.
Returnees going back to their places of origin where security situation is better or there is no other option for them.
Returnees with almost no option just waiting for government to allocate land or space to arrange temporary settlement.
Major recommendations and learning from the visit:
FSAC partners and regional cluster need to conduct rapid assessment to understand returnees need in a better way. This assessment will help to advocate for the needs on evidence bases. FSAC coordinator informed different stakeholders that cluster is ready to provide technical and financial support for this assessment.
For IDP’s response FSAC is already working with OCHA/CHF to provide one grant covering gap in both food and agriculture assistance. Cluster partners were recommended to provide better data based on assessment to receive funding.
FSAC will continue close monitoring of humanitarian situation especially for recent refugees returnees coming back from Pakistan though Torkhum boarder. Cluster focal persons and partners were requested to participate in weekly assessment mission.